Read Online Lone Star Wedding by Sandra Steffen - Free Book Online Page B

through their minds. What men thought, women felt.
    â€œAdrienne has a theory as to why the divorce rate is so high today.”
    Parker swirled the wine in his glass. He didn’t want to talk about divorce, or marriage, either, for that matter. Actually, he didn’t feel like talking, period. He would have preferred to find a quiet corner, or a quiet room. His house came to mind, but hers would have sufficed. Hannah, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave.
    He took another sip of his wine, not quite certain what to make of her tonight. She’d worn her hair up. She probably had a reason for choosing the brown tweed pantsuit, but if she thought it detracted from her beauty, she was wrong. It covered, but it sure as hell didn’t hide. When he’d left her yesterday evening, he’d been feeling extremely lofty. Very sure of himself and of her. Tonight it seemed he was back at square one.
    â€œSex.”
    He choked on his wine. Coughing into his hand, Parker said, “Did you say sex?”
    She nodded sagely.
    â€œDo you mean adultery?” he asked.
    She shook her head, and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I should have been more specific. Adrienne is convincedthat having sex before marriage is today’s couples’ downfall.”
    â€œLet me get this straight. The thirty-something blond bombshell and former beauty queen in the bright pink miniskirt who called me ‘sugar’ thinks people should wait until they’re married to have sex?”
    She nodded again, as if pleased that he was getting this. “I have to say I agree with her. And I’m not just saying that because I’m—”
    She turned suddenly, smiling at the waiter who’d just appeared at their table. Parker’s mind came to a screeching halt.
    Hannah’s lips were still shaped around a word that began with “w.” She wasn’t just saying that because she was what?
    Wise?
    Winsome?
    Waiting?
    Was that it? She was waiting?
    When Parker coughed this time, it wasn’t from the wine.

Four
    â€œW ould either of you care for dessert?”
    Parker ignored the interloping waiter and continued to stare at Hannah. She was smiling now, but her lips had been pursed slightly, dammit, and he wanted to know why. She’d said she happened to agree with Adrienne, who evidently believed there was a direct relationship between sex and the divorce rate in this country.
    Had Hannah been about to say she was waiting or hadn’t she?
    Waiting for what? Christmas?
    â€œParker, you remember Jason, don’t you?”
    He glared at the kid who’d run into him a week or so ago.
    The boy’s Adam’s apple wobbled nervously. “I’m sorry about the other day, sir. I’ll pay for the tie, or the dry-cleaning bill. Or if you want, I’ll have Adrienne deduct your dinner from my paycheck.”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary, Jason,” Hannah said. “Will it, Parker?”
    Parker’s lips twisted. He didn’t want the kid’s money. Hell, he would have paid him to take a hike. Running a finger inside the collar of his shirt, Parker said, “Forget it. I have other ties. Did you want to order dessert, Hannah?”
    Hannah nodded, and said, “Gerard’s chocolate mousse is always a sure hit.”
    The boy gasped. Hannah smiled guilelessly. And Parkerconceded defeat. The woman was one step ahead of him all the way.
    â€œYou heard the lady,” he said to the young waiter. “Bring us each a chocolate mousse. This time, I’ll take mine in a bowl.”
    Jason hurried away before his blush had made it past his neck. Hannah was almost sure something had shifted deep inside of her. Parker was a sharp-tongued lawyer who could have read Jason the riot act, demanding retribution, making degrading, demoralizing comments. Instead he’d let the boy off the hook. He wasn’t as ruthless as he wanted people to